Manitoba Heavy Construction Association

We build Manitoba's roads 19,000 kilometres to date. We build Manitoba's winter roads 2,200 kilometres that provide vital connections for remote communities. We build Manitoba's bridges/structures 2,400 and growing. floodways, roadways, power and digital communications, water delivery systems and wastewater removal systems — every day, manitobans depend on infrastructure. F ounded in 1943, the more than 400 members of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) build and maintain Manitoba's infrastructure, the foundation that sustains our quality of life. As the voice of the heavy construction industry, the MHCA is a strong advocate for sustained, strategic investment in infrastructure in a manner that grows the economy and best serves public interests. The MHCA works with all three levels of government to shape public policy to enhance economic prosperity and provide revenues that allow governments to invest in health, education and social programs. It promotes investment in trade-enabling infrastructure that moves Manitoba's goods and services to markets across the country and across the globe, and it has been instrumental in growing trade networks. The MHCA and its members invest in education and training to develop a skilled workforce, and it is committed to protecting its workforce through its WORKSAFELY™ program. The heavy construction industry generates billions of dollars to the provincial economy and provides meaningful employment, directly or indirectly, to an estimated 17,000 people in our province, and the MHCA continues to work on behalf of all Manitobans. "At the end of the day we're businesspeople, we're taxpayers, we're family people," says MHCA president Chris Lorenc. "We have a commitment to Winnipeg, to Manitoba, to Canada. We want to see our community, our city, our province grow. And that's ultimately what drives our Association." ❚ wednesdaY march 23, 2016 3 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Heading into tHe april 19, 2016 provincial election, Manitobans Have tHe responsibility of cHallenging conservative leader brian pallister, liberal leader rana bokHari and ndp leader greg selinger to deMonstrate to Manitobans wHy tHey sHould be preMier. M anitoba has undergone a significant transformation in the past 10 years; but continued growth demands big-picture leadership. Is there an economic growth vision associated with any of the leaders? Is any leader willing to challenge the status quo, to take risks, to think outside the box and be accountable for results? We need to test their strength and courage to lead. Are the leaders committed to the belief that growing Manitoba's economy should be Job 1? Do they acknowledge that without sustained economic growth generating revenues to governments, discussion about funding our quality of life programs is pointless? What is their strategy to grow Manitoba's economy? Manitoba's Capital Region, which includes Winnipeg and 16 surrounding rural municipalities, produces 70% of the provincial GDP. What approaches do any of the party leaders have that speak to a capital region economic growth strategy to harness its natural advantages? Trade is of critical importance to Manitoba's economy, with upwards of 240,000 Manitobans employed directly or indirectly in trade. Highway 75 carries roughly $19 billion of North/South trade annually and Emerson is Western Canada's busiest U.S. border crossing. CentrePort Canada — Canada's first inland port — has the potential to re- establish the region's global trade profile. It has already attracted 44 new companies with a projected 70 more to come within the next five years. How do the party leaders propose to further support the transformative economic growth role that CentrePort Canada will play? Are the leaders committed to looking North to champion investment in the Port of Churchill and establish it as Canada's — not just Manitoba's — Northern trade gateway? Do they recognize that a "Churchill" linked by rail and road to CentrePort Canada creates the Eastern bookend of global trade access for Western Canada? Do they appreciate the potential of bringing untold billions of dollars of trade related economic activity to Manitoba, Western Canada, and by extension our country? Do they link the connection between trade investment in Northern Canada and tremendous economic opportunities for Manitoba's Indigenous communities? What about taxes? Will they commit to a complete review of Manitoba's tax system and address the job-killing payroll tax or the low basic tax exemption rates which hurt low- income Manitobans? Are they prepared to restructure the fiscal relationship between Manitoba and its municipalities that were created at the turn of the 20th century and are inadequate for today and tomorrow's realities? Do they support a fair sharing of revenues, responsibilities and accountabilities between the province and municipalities? Are they prepared to remove the education levy from property taxes? Will they remember that there is only one taxpayer? Our infrastructure is broken. It is important to remember that it is the foundation of our economy and our quality of life. It enables our commerce to be productive and therefore competitive. Ever run on sand? It's hard. Ever run on a hard, even surface? Much easier. The same holds true for commerce 'in the sand 'versus on a well maintained infrastructure. Is the party leader willing to tie investment — not spending — in infrastructure to principles? How about these six: permanent program; focused on economic growth; embracing innovation; harnessing partnerships with the private sector; funded by a dedicated stream of revenues; and subject to public period reviews for adjustment. Balancing the budget? How important is that to any of the leaders? Are they concerned with ongoing budget deficits? How do they propose returning to balanced budgets if at all? Is the candidate for the Office of Premier prepared to reframe budget thinking from 'how does the government raise money,' to 'how does the government harness' provincial budgets to leverage investment and economic growth? What about political leadership? Do any of the leaders understand the pivotal importance of relationships between the office of the Premier, the Office of Winnipeg's Mayor and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM)? Is there a demonstrated willingness to park political differences and collaborate around regional economic growth strategies, regional transportation plans including mass transit, all aimed to enable sustained growth, career and investment opportunities for those here and yet in school? Does their vision embrace the objective of Manitoba playing a far greater leadership role with Western Premiers and the Premiers' Council, to influence, lead and shape national efforts in advancing common nation building interests? And finally do they understand that No leadership = no plan. No economy = no funds. No funds = no programming. What say you Ms. Bokhari, Messrs.' Pallister & Selinger? Can you demonstrate to us why you should be Premier? Manitobans are waiting. ❚ cHris lorenc, ba, ll.b Chris Lorenc is president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) from the ground up to CentrePort Canada creates the Eastern bookend of global appreciate the potential of bringing untold billions of dollars of trade related economic activity to Manitoba, Western Canada, and by extension our country? Do they link the connection between trade investment in Northern Canada and tremendous economic opportunities for Manitoba's ana reg onstrate to investment in the Port of Churchill and establish it as Canada's — not just Manitoba's — Northern trade gateway? Do they recognize that a "Churchill" linked by rail and road to CentrePort Canada creates the Eastern bookend of global trade access for Western Canada? Do they appreciate the potential of bringing untold billions of dollars of trade related economic activity to Manitoba, Western Canada, and by extension our country? Do they link the connection between trade investment in Northern Canada and tremendous economic opportunities for Manitoba's Indigenous communities? Heading into tHe april 19, provincial election, Manitobans Have tHe responsibility of cHallenging onservative leader brian pallister, liberal leader r bokHari and ndp leader selinger to deMonstrate to investment in the Port of Churchill and establish it as Canada's — not just Manitoba's — Northern trade gateway? floodways, roadways, power and digital communications, water delivery programs. It promotes investment in trade-enabling infrastructure that moves Manitoba's goods and services to markets across the country and across the globe, and it has been instrumental in growing ground up ground up Building a strong foundation for Manitobans Challenge provinCial leaders to demonstrate why they should be premier mhca.mb.ca

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